Amsterdam Historical Tour in French - History Secrets

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. You will discover the secrets of this floating station, an architectural masterpiece of the 19th century, as well as its history and naval past before its construction. Your Guide will explain the historical origins of the city and its medieval past, including how an Count of Holland used a revolutionary system that pitted the region against the rest of Europe. A story where water, cooperation and daring have made Holland a unique power.

   7 minutes here

2. St. Nicholas Basilica

   Admire this neo-Baroque basilica, a symbol of the Catholic resurgence in the Netherlands, and discover the secrets of St Nicholas, whose feast day is celebrated every year by the Dutch. Your Guide will tell you the religious history of the city and how it became a holy place on all the maps of the pilgrimages of Europe in the Middle Ages.

   5 minutes here

3. Weeping Tower

   You will discover this medieval tower from the 15th century, the last vestige of the fortifications of Amsterdam, and what it meant to its inhabitants yesterday and today. Your Guide will explain what this fortification protected, as well as the first Dutch naval innovations that helped make the country the most powerful maritime nation in Europe. Finally, you will learn how the Dukes of Burgundy contributed to the unification of the provinces and the greatness of Amsterdam.

   7 minutes here

4. The Waag

   You will pass this emblematic building, formerly one of the medieval gates of the city, and discover its military and civilian history. Your Guide will reveal how this place has evolved to this day and why it symbolizes the balance between trade and justice. We will continue our historical red thread by explaining how the Habsburgs shaped the destiny of the country and Amsterdam, between wars, taxes and control of goods.

   5 minutes here

5. Discover Amsterdam’s first Protestant church, its architecture and the resting place of one of history’s greatest painters. Your Guide will tell you the story of the Eighty Years’ War and its links with Protestantism, as well as its heroes and protagonists: Charles V, the Huguenots, the Gueux, the Princes of Orange, Louise de Coligny or Cardinal de Granvelle, all actors of the Dutch epic, from the revolt to independence.

   10 minutes here

6. You will admire the birthplace of the VOC (East India Company), the first multinational corporation with shares, as well as the history of its foundation, captains and merchants, who made their fortune. Your Guide will reveal how French Huguenots and Sephardic Jews, fleeing the Inquisition, helped build a colonial empire with their knowledge of commerce and cartography. You’ll also learn how a daring espionage operation changed world trade and made the fortunes of the Netherlands, and why you shouldn’t get too drunk in the inns and bars of Amsterdam in the 17th century.

   7 minutes here

7. Trippenhuis

   You will admire this 17th century palace, former home of the richest arms dealers in Europe, and understand the hidden meaning of its gloves, sculptures and fireplaces, as well as its links with Napoleon’s brother. Your Guide will tell you how Dutch merchants influenced the Thirty Years' War and contributed to the reshaping of European armies. Finally, you will learn the secrets of a ghost fleet as sophisticated as that of present-day Russia.

   5 minutes here

8. You will discover this small hidden church, refuge of French Huguenots fleeing the persecution of Saint Bartholomew and the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Your Guide will explain how these exiles have left their mark on the intellectual history of Amsterdam and the Netherlands by bringing their knowledge in printing, silk and finance. You will know why their legacy inspired the French Revolution.

   5 minutes here

9. Museum Het Rembrandthuis

   You will admire the place where Rembrandt van Rijn created his masterpieces, such as The Night Round and The Anatomy Lesson. Your Guide will explain how and why Dutch painters revolutionized the codes of European painting during the Golden Age. You will also discover the history of other great painters such as Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer or Jan Steen.

   6 minutes here

10. You will admire this majestic 17th century synagogue, built by Sephardic Jews fleeing the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition. Your Guide will tell you how this community enriched Amsterdam with its knowledge of business, medicine and astronomy, and why their arrival coincided with the Dutch Golden Age. You will also delve into the tragic past of Amsterdam’s Jewish community during the Second World War.

    5 minutes here

11. Spinoza Monument

    Discover the neighbourhood where Baruch Spinoza, excommunicated by the Jewish community, wrote works that shook the foundations of philosophy. Your Guide will reveal how Amsterdam became the Capital of Enlightenment, welcoming free thinkers like Erasmus, Voltaire, Descartes and Pierre Bayle.

    6 minutes here

12. Munt Tower (Munttoren)

    You will discover a tower that housed the Inn of Coins, linked to the turbulent history of the Netherlands, including the invasion of Louis XIV. Your Guide will tell you how, during the two Anglo-Dutch wars, water management and Admiral Michiel de Ruyter saved the country. You will also learn why the Dutch are the only ones to have eaten their Prime Minister, and how a Prince of Holland became King of England, marking a turning point in European history.

    7 minutes here

13. Bloemenmarkt

    You will discover one of the most iconic symbols of the Netherlands: the Tulip Point of Sale, where the Dutch passion for these flowers gave birth to a global tradition. Your Guide will tell you how a simple flower triggered the first speculative bubble in history in 1637, tulipomania, and how the Netherlands became the undisputed masters of horticulture. You will have the opportunity to stop and buy bulbs and tulips, vivid and colorful souvenirs of your visit to Amsterdam

    10 minutes here

14. Singel

    Your Guide will reveal how Amsterdam financed and built its 165 UNESCO-listed canals using innovative financial techniques. You will discover a history where the ingenuity of the merchants of the seventeenth century helped to shape the city, with perhaps wise advice between initiates. But shh... Let’s not talk too loudly about these investment “opportunities” or dry land purchases before they gain value!

    6 minutes here

15. You will discover this emblematic squat of the 1980s, symbol of the Amsterdam counterculture and the struggle for housing rights. Your Guide will explain how Amsterdam cultivated a spirit of rebellion and freedom, from the Provo and Flower Power movements of the 1960s to the squatters of the 1980s. You will understand why this building, now an autonomous cultural centre, represents a time of radical change and social protest.

    5 minutes here

16. You will finish in this central square, where Dutch history was written, from Napoleon to the Second World War. Your Guide will tell you how this square has been the scene of significant events, such as the February 1941 strike against the Nazis or the enthronement of William I. You will appreciate why it symbolizes Dutch resilience, with its National Monument to the victims of war.

    10 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

fr

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun

Group size

Up to 10 travelers per booking

Operated by

Visites Françaises Amsterdam

Know before you go

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

Traveler reviews

8 verified traveler reviews for Amsterdam Historical Tour in French - History Secrets. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.